I've done some studying of Heraldry as part of a Medieval History group (becoming well known in the group for it) and just have to speak up on this issue. There is NO such thing as a FAMILY coat of arms. A coat of arms was bestowed to one person and that person only. After that person died, if there was clear intent, then the eldest son (usually it was the son) could assume the coat of arms - every other child could use a similar one but had to have some difference. The coat of arms would then become his and his alone. A crest is the thing that sits on top of the helm (helmet) that is above the shield. The shield shaped design was the coat of arms. The entire display of the coat of arms, helm, crest and mantling (the fabric attached to the crest that "flies" behind the whole design) and any supporters (animals usually that "hold up" the shield") is called an achievement of arms. Coats of arms were usually bestowed to the nobility early on, then later in the course of history, the gentility were bestowed coats of arms (equate this to the upper middle class). Businesses then also started using logos - some of them were able to register it as a coat of arms with the College of Heralds. Nancy Rivers